November 11, as most of you know, is Veteran's Day. Many Americans confuse Veteran's Day as the day set aside to honor our military personnel who died in battle, or as a direct result of wounds inflicted during combat. Memorial Day or "Decoration Day" was enacted in 1868 after the American Civil War to honor those who died in that conflict. Memorial Day is the day we honor those whom have passed.

Veteran's Day however, is a day that honors ALL American Veterans both living and dead. It is a day set aside to THANK living veterans, and to HONOR fallen military. Veteran's Day was set forth in 1954 ; President Eisenhower signed a bill declaring November 11 to be recognized as Veteran's Day.

As we thought about this distinguished day it caused us to think about a purchase we had made a while ago. On a trip to the Hallowed Ground of Virgina, we made a small stop in what one would call an "off-the-beaten-path" gift shoppe located in Aldie, Virginia.

This botique was located in an age-old 18th century home; it had been created to be a gift shoppe called Bella Villa. It held a delicious plethora of old trinkets, china cups, furniture, and books; it would take hours to tell you what a storehouse full of novelties this little shoppe held. As a couple we of course always seem drawn to the books. High upon a shelf we found a few we selected for purchase. Both of the books were priced within our budget so we purchased them. Rosanna, the owner of the quaint little shoppe, delicately handled our old books with tenderness. "Oh how nice!" she exclaimed, "An old Bible. It even has some writing in it." Rosanna was a beautiful host originally from Italy. She told us more about the area in which we were visiting, along with interesting historical points of Aldie Mills. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her, but eventually went on our way.

Once we arrived back at the hotel room, we decided to pour through this old Bible. Along with a swatch of fabric dyed a vibrant purple, pressed flowers, and what was once greenery, we found a torn and yellowed obituary. This small relic of honor was located in the section of the Bible known as 1st Corinthians chapter XV, and dogged eared at verse 17. It read as the following:

"DIEDJanuary 24th, 1863 Sargent Almon B. Gardener. One of the first to respond to the first call of President Lincoln for troops, enlisting on the 10th day of May, 1861, in Capt. W.A. Bugh's Co. G, 5th Wis. Vol. Infantry, and participating in all the marches, skirmishes and battles in which his command was engaged up to the time of his demise. He is spoke of by his officers as being one of the best of men, always ready at any call of duty. The messenger of Death overtook him. He left his wife and little one in poor condition to battle against the storms of adversity..."

Immediately upon reading this tribute we became sad. Sad that the token we had found was someone's way of "honoring" the loved one that fell over 148 years ago.

The words "always ready at any call of duty" JUMPED out at us. How many of us know of those that once served, perished, or are currently serving in the military who's focus is to always be ready at any call of duty? How many of us can truly state that we would be willing to sacrifice our lives as we know it to be ready at any call of duty? It seems amazing to us that we have to "set aside" a day to honor and thank those that committed their lives to preserve our freedoms and liberties here in the United States.

So this November 11th, take time to thank a veteran.

Then...after November 11th, If you see a veteran in line at the coffeehouse, buy his/her coffee or if you see a veteran at the mall make sure to say "Hey, thank you for your service for our country".

Their sacrifice should not go unnoticed or forgotten as the old accolade in our Bible purchase was. While we are not "purveyors" of this advertiser's product, please click the YouTube link below; this commercial aired only once. Would you not agree thank you's as this should be offered more? Let's make it be not just this Veteran's Day but everyday...